Grain-cleaning machine



April 21, 1931. c. STEIDLE GRAIN CLEANING MACHINE Filed Nov. 25. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 21, 1931. c. STEIDLE v GRAIN CLEANING MACHINE Filed NOV. 25. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mi @g 0. Q w 53;

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Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITE srarss CHARLES STE-IDLE, OF BYRNESVELLE, IvIZSSOUBI GRAIN-CLEANING MACHINE Application filed November 25, 1.929. Serial No. e09,461.

This invention relates to machines for cleaning grain and has special reference to machines for removing and separating foreign substances, fragments and seeds from grain, such as wheat and the like.

The machine in the accompanying drawings, and which exemplifies a satisfactory embodiment of the invention, comprises an oscillating screen or sieve onto which the grain with the foreign substances and articles mixed therewith is discharged. The screen or sieve oscillates and causes the grain and the foreign elements to move along the screen with the result that the grain and the smaller foreign elements are discharged from the screen while the larger foreign bodice are retained by the screen and are prevented from passing into the machine.

The oscillating screen frame supports means for discharging the grain with the smaller foreign substances through one or more passages that open intothe machine proper. The machine proper includes mechanism for creating a current of air across and through the stream of grain and foreign substances sufficient to remove and separate and carry the foreign substances from the grain, permitting the grain to continue to descend through the machine to suitable discharge outlets. The machine includes means and devices for regulating and controlling the air currents, so as to obtain best results.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved machine embodying the construction and cooperative elements mentioned above and hereinafter disclosed, so that the, grain may be cleaned and conditioned for milling.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

- Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing one of the retainers for the adjustable bafiles.

Fig. 1 is a vertical. longitudinal sectional view of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view approximately on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

In the construction shown, the machine comprises a supporting. frame 1; two end walls 2; a side wall 3 along one side of the ma chine; a side wall 4 along the opposite side of the machine from the sidewall 3; abottom wall5; and a top wall 6.

In the specific embodimentshown, the machine is of dual construction. The top wall 6 has opening therethrough two hoppers or chutes 7 Within the enclosure formed by the enclosing walls are two vertical partitions 8 dividing the enclosure formed by the enclosing walls into two end compartments 9 and into a central compartment 10. At the upper edges of the walls 8, openings 11 are formed from the compartment 10 into tl ecoinpartments 9 and below the openings 11 the walls 8 have therethrough openings 12 to the compartments 9. Each compartment 9 has there in a vertical partition 13 arranged approximately parallelwith the partition walls 8. The partition walls 8 and thepartitions 13 extend from the wall 3 .to the wall 4. \The upper edges of the partitions 13 are below the. plane of the openings 12. Thus, the lower portion of each compartment 9 is divided into a grain passage G and into a passage W for the waste.

Each of the partition walls 8 has attached thereto a downwardly inclined shelf 14tsomewhat below the openingll and having its lowor edge above the opening 12. Each of the partition walls 8 has attached thereto a downwardly inclined shelf 15 below the openings 12. Opposite each shelf 14 is a downwardly inclined shelf 16. I The lower-edges of the shelves 1.6 are approximately in the same horizontal plane with the lower edges of theshelves 14 and spaced therefrom, leaving spaces 17 for the downward passage of the grain. Opposite each shelf 15 is-a clownwardly inclined shelf 18. The lower edges of the shelves 18 are approximately in the same horizontal plane with the lower edges of the shelves 15 and spaced therefrom, leaving spaces 19 for the downward passage of the grain. y

Downwardly converging shelves 20 and 21 are arranged similar to the shelves 1 1 and 16, the shelves 20 inclining from the upper edges of the shelves 16 and in the opposite direction, so that the shelves 20 are approximately parallel with the shelves 14. The upper edges of the shelves 20 and 21 are below the openings 11 and are substantially below the top wall 6. The lower edges of the shelves 20 and 21 are spaced apart, leaving spaces 22 for the downward passage of foreign seeds and substances which may be separated and detached from the grain that continues to as downwardly through the openings 17. helves 23 incline downwardly and toward the end walls 2 from the upper edges of the shelves 21. The lower edges of the shelves 23 are spaced from the end walls 2, leaving 0 nings 24 for the downward passage of any sdhstan'ces that may enter the space above the 23. The lines of connection of the upper edges of the shelves 16 and 20 are approximately in the same vertical planes with e partition walls 13, so that the openings 17 are into the grain passage G and the openin% 22 and 24 are into the waste passages \V. ownwardly converging shelves 25 and 26 are arranged similar to the shelves 15 and 18, the stems 25 inclining from the upper edges of theshelves 18 and in the opposite direction, so that the shelves 25 are approximately parafll with the shelves '15. The upper edges of shelves 25 and 26 are below the openl 12 and are substantially below the lower u; of the shelves 14, 17, 20 and 21. The ldwei' edges of the shelves 25 and 26 are aced apart, leaving the spaces 27 for the Mind passage of foreign seeds and waste width may be separated and detached from the grain that continues'to pass downwardly through the openings 19. Shelves 28 incline dtiwiiwardly and toward the end walls 2 from the u'pperedg'es of the shelves 26. The lower edges of the shelves 28 are spaced from the end walls 2, leaving openings 29 for the downward passage of any waste material that may enter the space above the shelves 28. The lines of connection of the upper edges of the sheives 18 and 25 are approximately on the same vertical planes with the partition walls 13, so that the openings 19 are into the grain passages G and the openings 27 and 29 are into is e waste passages W. The passages 19, 27, and 29 are below the upper ends of the partition walls 13, so that it is now impossielefor the grain and the waste material to become mixed. In the grain passages G,

30 catch and conduct the grain to discharge chutes 31 inclining downwardly and outwardly from the openings 32 through the will 4. In the waste passages W, chutes 33 cnthand conduct the waste material to discharge chutes 34 inclining downwardly and outwardly from openings 35 through the well t.

I have provided an independent controlling and regulating device for each of the openings 11. As shown, each of said controlling and regulating devices comprises a sliding gate or closure 36. These gates or closures 36 overlap the upper ends of the partition walls 8 (Fig. 4) and are held in place for vertical sliding movement by guides 37. The opposite ends of each gate or closure 36 are supported on the upper ends of screws 38 operatively mounted in brackets 39 supported by the partition walls 8. Thus, by manipulating the screws 38, the gates or closures 36 may be raised to reduce the sizes of the openings 11, or lowered to permit the gates or closures 36 to move downwardly to increase the sizes of the openings 11. The screws 38 are independently manipulative and adjustable, so that either one of the openings 11 may be closed, or both of said 0 enings 11 may be kept open and the sizes 0 the openings 11 may be relatively varied.

Also, I provide gates or closures for controlling and regulating the openings 12. These gates or closures comprise slides 40 operating against the walls 8 and guided by guides 41. The lower edges of the slides 40 are supported on screws 42 operatively mounted in brackets 43 in connection with the partition walls 8. By manipulation of the screws 42, the slides 40 may be raised to close partially or entirely either or both of the openings 12, and this adjustment of either of the slides 40 may be effected independently of the other one of said slides 40. So too, the slides 40 may be adjusted independently of the gates of closures 36 and vice versa. Independently adjustable baflies are provided for regulating and controlling the cross currents of air from the openings 11 above the partitions above the shelves 16 and 20 and above the shelves 21 and 23; and similar independently adjustable baflies are provided for controlling the cross currents of air from the openings 12 above the shelves 18 and 25 and above the shelves 26 and 28. These baffles are arranged at the apexes of the respective pairs of shelves (Fig. 4), and each comprises a rocker rod 44. The respective rocker rods 44 are mounted at the apexes formed by the shelves 16 and 20 and by the shelves 21 and 23 and by the shelves 18 and 25 and by the shelves 26 and 28. Each rocker rod 44 has attached thereto a battle plate 45 which may be tilted or inclined in either direction simply by turning the corresponding rocker rod 44. That is to say, the baffle plates 45 at the apexes of the shelves 16 and 20 and at the apexes of the shelves 18 and 25 may be inclined upwardly toward the walls 8 or upwardly toward the end walls 2 of the machine. The upper edges of the bafiles 45 are slightly below the planes of the openings 11 and 12, respectively, so that, by inclining the bafiles 45, the cross currents of air, passing through the openings 11 and 12, respectively, and above the various shelves, may be regulated and controlled. By this regulation and control, better results can be oobtalne'd for,'by observing the grain discharging from the chutes 31 and the waste material discharging from the chutes 34, the operator isnotified whether thebest results are being obtained or Whether the baflies should be inclined in either direction or not. By inclining the balflesj45 toward the end walls 2, a part of the waste material will slide over said baffles, but the heavier grain will be caught and discharged downwardly toward the grain passage G. If the grain is heavy, the baiilcs 45 may be turned toward the end walls 2, but if the grain is comparatively light, the baffles 45 may preferably be turned or inclined toward the partition walls 8.

One end of each rocker rod 44 has attached thereto a ratchet wheel 46 engaged by a latch pawl 47, which may be manipulated to permit the rocker rods 44 to be turned in either direction and to any desired adjustment A shaft 48 is rotatively supported by the walls 3 and 4 near the lower end of the space between the walls 8. The walls 8 are connected at their lower ends by a rounded connection 49 projecting well below the lower edges of the walls 3 and 4 and forming openings for the admission of air into the space 10. The shaft 48 supports fan blades 50, so that when said shaft 48 is rotated, air is drawn into the space 10 and forced upwardly and thence through the openings 11 and 12 across and through the stream of grain, with the result that the heavier grain continues to descend through the openings 17 and 19 while the waste and chaff are carried laterally by the air currents and are discharged through the openings 22, 24, 27 and 29 and are conducted and discharged from the machine by the chutes 33 and 34.

A drive shaft 51 having thereon a pulley 52 is connected by a belt 53 with a pulley 54 attached to the shaft 48. Thus, the shaft 48 will be rotated to operate the device 50 for creating the air currents.

A belt 55 engages a pulley 56 on the shaft 48 and also engages a pulley 57 on a shaft 58 supported in bearings 59 above one end of the machine.

Eccentrics 60 are attached to the shaft 58 and have connections 61 to an oscillating frame 62. The oscillating frame 62 is supported by links 63 and will be oscillated when the shaft 58 rotates. The frame 62 supports and encloses a sieve or sifter device 64, which will catch and retain many of the larger pieces and elements while the grain and the smaller waste material are sifted through the screen or sifter. Chutes or guide devices 65 are supported by the frame 62 and have therethrough discharge openings 66 above the hoppers or inlet chutes 7. Accordingly, the grainand finer particles of waste material will be discharged and conducted into the machine. The grain and foreign sub stances mixed therewith will drop across the currents of air and the lighter foreign substances will be removed and discharged into the waste compartment W', while the heavier grain continues to descend and is conducted and discharged from the machine by the chutes 30 and 31. I

A chute 67 leads from any suitable grain bin, hopper or receptacle to discharge the grain in a thin wide stream upon the sieve or sifter 64. Spreader blocks 68 are attached to the bottom wall of the chute 67, the same comprising staggered inverted V-shaped blocks arranged in approximately the manner shown in Fig. 1, whereby it is clear '3 enough that the descending grain will be scattered, spread and distributed approximately evenly across the sifter device.

Access to the inside of the machine may be obtained through openings controlled by ap z}:

propriate doors or covers 69.

In operation, the grain is discharged from the chute 6'? onto the sifter device 64. The shaft 51, being rotated, will rotate the shaft 48 and also the shaft 58. The sift-er is therethe waste material isremoved and separated from the grain and is carried-over the shelves 20 and 21. This waste material passes downwardly through the openings 22, while the grain and the remaining particles of waste pass downwardly through the openings 17. 1

Other currentsof air pass through the openings 12 and across and through the descending streams of grain, removing therefrom nearly all of the waste material, with the result that nearly clean grain is discharged from the chutes 31, while the waste material is discharged from the chutes 34.

The specific construction, arrangement and relationship of parts may be varied with in equivalent limits without departure from the nature and principle of the invention.

I claim: 1. A machine of the character described comprising walls forming an enclosure having air inlet openings thereinto through one of said walls,pairs of spaced downwardly converging shelves forming a pass; sage adjacent to said wall having said openings for the downward movement of grain through said enclosure by gravity, other pairs of spaced downwardly converging shelves forming a passage laterallyfrom said first passage for the downward movement of foreign substances that are of lighter weight than the grain, said first passage opening into said second passage opposite said openings, devices for varying the size of said openings, mechanism for causing currents of air to pass through said openings and transversely through said first passage and through the moving grain and into said second passage to remove foreign substances from the grain, bafiles between said passages for controlling the passage of air and substances carried by the air from said first pas sage to said second passage, and means for discharging the foreign substances from said enclosure separated from the grain.

2. A machine of the character described comprising walls forming an enclosure having an air inlet opening thereinto through one of said walls, a vertical partition in said enclosure having its upper edge below the plane of said opening, downwardly converging shelves extending from said partition and from said wall that has said opening respectively and forming a passage for the downward movement of grain at one side of said partition, means at the opposite side of said partition forming a passage for the downward movement of foreign substances that are separated from the grain, and a baffie above said partition and having its upper edge below the plane of the upper edge of said opening for controlling the passage of air and substances carried by the air from said first passage into said second passage.

3. A machine of the character described comprising walls forming an enclosure having an air inlet opening thereinto through one of said walls, a chute opening downwardly into said enclosure the full width of said enclosure, means for spreading and discharging grain into said chute the full length of said chute and the full width of said enclosure, a pair of downwardly converging shelves mounted in said chute below the plane of said air inlet opening and forming a passage below said chute for the downward movement of grain through said enclosure by gravity, a partition spaced from said wall having said inlet opening in the lower portion of said enclosure, means at the opposite side of said partition from said passage forming a passage for the downward movement of foreign substances that are separated from the grain, and means for causing a current of air to pass through said opening and transversely through said first passage and into said second passage to carry into said second passage foreign substances that are removed from the grain.

4. A machine of the character described comprising walls forming an enclosure having an air inlet opening thereinto through one of said walls, a chute opening downwardly into said enclosure the full width of said enclosure, means for spreading and discharging grain into said chute the full length of said chute and the full width of said enclosure, a pair of downwardly converging shelves mounted in said chute below the plate of said air inlet opening and forming a passage below said chute for the downward movement of grain through said enclosure by gravity, a partition spaced from said wall having said inlet opening in the lower portion of said enclosure, means at the opposite side of said partition from said passage forming a passage for the downward movement of foreign substances that are separated from the grain, means for causing a current of air to pass through said opening and transversely through said first passage and into said second passage to carry into said second passage foreign substances that are removed from the grain, a bafile above said partition for controlling the passage of air from said first passage to said second passage, and means for discharging the foreign substances from said enclosure separated from the grain.

CHARLES STEIDLE. 

